Twenty-six years ago today, 96 Liverpool fans were killed by a crush at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield during an FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. There will be a memorial service at Anfield on Wednesday.
Backheel Breakfast: 26th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Currently, new inquests into the causes of the disaster are taking place. Initial reports blaming Liverpool fans for the disaster have been definitively proven false, and former police chief superintendent David Duckenfeld admitted during the inquests that he performed his job incompetently on the day of the disaster.
In the news
Jürgen Klopp will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
The Valley Parade disaster was one of nine fires at businesses owned by Bradford’s chairman. (Guardian)
Mario Mandzukic insists that Dani Carvajal did not bite him. (AS)
Despite dissatisfaction from fans and grumblings he might quit, Antonio Conte is staying as Italy boss. (Football Italia)
Carles Puyol could come out of retirement to play in MLS. (ESPN FC)
Arjen Robben won’t play on Wednesday, but he is starting injury rehab. (Bundesliga)
Canada’s manager thinks Tesho Akindele will pick them over the USMNT. (MLS)
Jordan Ibe has joined Raheem Sterling in getting caught with a hookah. (Telegraph)
You should be reading
Ryan Rosenblatt on why soccer on temp grass is awful. (Soccer Gods)
Arthur James on the 1970 Brazil team and modernism. (In Bed With Maradona)
James Yorke on Aston Villa’s turnaround, plus other EPL stats. (Stats Bomb)
Fun with transfer rumors
The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.
Manchester City could pay up to £50m for Raheem Sterling. (Mail)
Manchester United are interested in a Chicharito-for-Clyne swap. (Mirror)
Chelsea are about to sign Brazilian wonder kid Nathan. (Telegraph)
Tuesday’s games
Check out Copa Libertadores highlights here. (FootballManiaChannel)
What to watch on Wednesday (click for listings, all times ET)
PSG vs. Barcelona (2:45 p.m.) - Can PSG finally get over the hump and make a semifinal?
FC Porto vs. Bayern Munich (2:45 p.m.) - Potentially interesting, just because of Bayern’s injury issues.
Five Copa Libertadores games (from 6:45 p.m.) - The best of the night is Atlas vs. Atletico Mineiro.
USA vs. Mexico (9 p.m.) - It’s domestic players on a horrible pitch, but hey, USA-Mexico!
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